Wednesday, November 02, 2011

I just finished Heaven is for Real, by Todd Burpo, courtesy of BookSneeze. It is a story about just-shy-of-four-years Colton who was very critically ill and had a crazy experience. After he had recovered from his illness, he began sharing that he had been to heaven briefly while he was in emergency surgery. The story is told by his father, and you get to share in the experience through his eyes. Colton shares things he saw and learned in heaven, meeting his miscarried sister, long dead relatives, getting to know Jesus.

At first, his parents were understandable skeptical. But over time, Colton shared too many things to have been "coincidence". He revealed things in his childlike language that lined right up with what Scripture tells us heaven is going to be like. He seemed so innocent in his descriptions, and it led credibility to his story.

I can't help but admit I was very skeptical myself when I started reading the book. I always have to battle the demons of skepticism in myself, and I'm still not quite sure what I think about Colton's story. But I do know, if this story is true and it is not some guy just trying to make a buck by pulling at people's heartstrings, it is incredible. What a fearful privilege it would be to look into the eyes of Jesus, to meet those gone before us, or to see Satan and the battle that ensues for the souls of men.

Overall, a really good addicting book. I loved turning the page to hear in the broken language of a child truths about God, Jesus, and heaven.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.